Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
पैत्र्यं मूले प्रदेशिन्याः कनिष्ठायाः प्रजापतेः ब्राह्म्यमङ्गुष्ठमूलस्थं तीर्थं दैवं कराग्रतः
paitryaṃ mūle pradeśinyāḥ kaniṣṭhāyāḥ prajāpateḥ brāhmyamaṅguṣṭhamūlasthaṃ tīrthaṃ daivaṃ karāgrataḥ
ที่โคนของนิ้วชี้เป็นตีรถะของปิตฤ; ที่โคนของนิ้วก้อยเป็นตีรถะของปรชาปติ. ที่โคนของนิ้วหัวแม่มือเป็นตีรถะพราหมะ และที่ปลายนิ้วทั้งหลายเป็นตีรถะของเทวะ।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Maps kara-tīrthas (hand sacred spots) for correct ritual sipping/offering, purification, and orientation of acts to devas/pitṛs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kara-tīrtha Nirdhāraṇa (Pitṛ–Prajāpati–Brāhma–Daiva)","lookup_keywords":["kara-tīrtha","pitṛ-tīrtha","prajāpati-tīrtha","brāhma-tīrtha","daiva-tīrtha"],"quick_summary":"Gives a practical hand-map: forefinger base = Pitṛ, little-finger base = Prajāpati, thumb base = Brāhma, fingertips = Daiva; used to direct ritual water and offerings appropriately."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy through correct designation of kara-tīrthas (microcosmic sacred loci).
Application: During ācamana/arpana/tarpaṇa, touch or pour water from the specified hand-region to align the act with pitṛs, prajāpati, brahmanical sanctity, or devas.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-nirnaya & Kara-tirtha (Ritual Purification via Hand Sacred-Spots)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close-up instructional depiction of a right hand with marked sacred points: base of forefinger (Pitṛ), base of little finger (Prajāpati), base of thumb (Brāhma), fingertips (Daiva).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized hand diagram with traditional linework, labeled sacred points using symbolic icons (pitṛ, prajāpati, brahma, deva), earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate framed hand diagram, gold highlights on tīrtha points, small deity/ancestor emblems near each location, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional hand illustration, precise placement of tīrtha points, subtle shading, minimal background, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate hand study with fine brushwork, small calligraphic labels implied, muted palette, emphasis on anatomical elegance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्राह्म्यमङ्गुष्ठमूलस्थं → ब्राह्म्यम् अङ्गुष्ठ-मूल-स्थम्; कराग्रतः → कर-अग्रतः (अव्ययीभाव).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (kara-tīrtha and mudrā/nyāsa passages continuing in 72.33–72.34)
FAQs
It defines specific kara-tīrthas (sacred points on the hand)—Pitṛ, Prajāpati, Brāhma, and Daiva—used when performing ācamana, offerings, and purification acts by touching/using water with the designated part of the hand.
By cataloging micro-level ritual technique (hand-based tīrtha geography), it preserves practical liturgical know-how alongside broader theology—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of both doctrine and precise procedural details.
Using the correct kara-tīrtha aligns an act (such as honoring ancestors or gods) with its proper ritual channel, supporting purity (śuddhi) and the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.